Projects

National

Functional analysis of synaptotagmins in responses of plants to environmental stresses

Program:

APVV

Zodpovedný riešiteľ:

Doc. RNDr. Jásik Ján CSc.

Annotation:

Crop yields are largely dependent on their tolerances to environmental influences, including salinity. Previously, we have shown that the Arabidopsis synaptotagmin 1 (AtSYT1), the most abundantly expressed Arabidopsis ortholog of the well-known calcium sensors in animal neurons, is involved in responses to abiotic stresses. The general goal of this proposal is to reveal the mechanisms by which AtSYTs regulate the reactions to high salinity and other stresses. We wish to characterize AtSYTs expression, describe phenotype of Atsyts mutant lines, to study subcellular localisation of AtSYTs, and to monitor intracellular dynamics of AtSYT1. Additionally, we shall address the functional analysis of the interaction fished out in the yeast two hybrid assay connecting AtSYT1 to the MAPK cascade. Our study will contribute to the overall understanding of how membrane trafficking is involved in stress responses.

Transcriptional, post-transcriptional and post-translational regulation of IRT1 gene, a key transporter of iron in plant roots

Program:

VEGA

Zodpovedný riešiteľ:

Doc. RNDr. Jásik Ján CSc.

Annotation:

Using transgenic and mutant lines in combination with the current genetic, molecular biological, histochemical, immunological, fluorometric, chemical analytical and microscopic methods we want to explore whether and how the presence or absence of iron and other metal elements transferred by IRT1 protein may affect the activity of IRT1 promoter, the process of RNA splicing, localization, turnover and intracellular dynamics of IRT1 protein varieties in roots of the model organism Arabidopsis thaliana. Examination of multi-level regulation of the IRT1 gene and simultaneous monitoring of the contents and the distribution of iron and other metallic components in the plants will yield valuable information for applications in biotechnology in order to enrich the plants with iron and / or to limit the absorption of potentially toxic metal elements. The findings may be useful in the agricultural breeding practice to obtain higher yielding varieties and tolerant plants to environmental stress caused by heavy metals.

Effect of silicon and salicylic acid on physiological and metabolical processes in maize plants stressed by antimony (Sb) and nickel (Ni)

Program:

VEGA

Zodpovedný riešiteľ:

RNDr. Luxová Miroslava CSc.

Annotation:

The increased attention to the environmental contamination by heavy metals is paid over the last few decades. One of the potential environmental contaminants is antimony. Sb in large amounts enters the environment by anthropogenic activity. Nickel is considered as essential element that is toxic to most plants at higher concentrations. Ni is accumulated in soils mainly due to sewage sludge deposition, application of industrial compost or atmospheric fallout, near processing factories. In this project we will study the responses of maize plants stressed by Sb and Ni at the level of biomass production and at the biochemical (formation of ROS, activity of antioxidative enzymes) and physiological (membrane damage, changes in content and expression of proteins) level. We will determine whether the individual application of silicon or salicylic acid or their combination can protect maize plants from Sb or Ni toxicity by fine-tuning the antioxidative system of plants and/or improving plant growth and development.